Letting away with it
Repeat credit checks. Contract renewal fees. ‘Administration’ fees. All on top of sky-high rents.
Sound familiar? You're not alone.
In a recent YouGov poll, one in four British people said they’d been ripped off by a letting agent.1 A survey on our own website also revealed that 88 per cent of respondents have paid extra fees above and beyond their deposit.2
More than 1,100 people have responded so far, but we still need more of you to get involved.
Take our survey today to help us fight for change. Your answers will tell us what the big issues are and what we need to campaign on.
In spring 2013, Shelter will launch a new campaign to change how letting agents work. Your input will be crucial in helping us argue for the right change for renters.
If you want to be the first to know more, you can sign up to be a campaigner.
Take action
Do you rent your home
through a letting agent?
Had a bad experience with letting agents? Tell Shelter your story 
Latest stories
We had a six-month tenancy initially but had to pay more than £100 in admin fees to extend it for another year. Towards the end, we asked for another two or three months so we could find a new place before our baby was born. Instead, our agent gave us notice to leave. They then said we could stay if we gave them another set of admin fees. They forced me and my pregnant wife to pay up or move out – so we had to move.”
— Roger
I'm sure I'm not the only one but my letting agent initially put me on a six-month let with a £95 admin charge – and expected me to renew every six months. When I mentioned I would like a long let, they said they only allowed 12 months maximum. They told me the landlord wouldn’t allow longer, but when I told him he was horrified and said they hadn’t even asked him about it.”
— Simon
1) YouGov survey, commissioned by Shelter. Total sample size was 5379 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 10 - 14 August 2012. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
2) This poll is comprised of the responses of over 1,200 private renters who completed the ‘Letting away with it’ survey on the Shelter website between September and December 2012.
20 minutes before I was due to pick up the keys for my house the agent told me it wasn’t ready. Having already moved out from our old home this left my partner and I homeless. After finding out the agent double charged us and the landlord we decided to cancel everything. The agent said they’d repay all outstanding fees, but we’re still waiting.”
— Monika